Percy, Dick and Grover sprinted to the big house to find a very angry Diana yelling at Mr. D.
"You will return the child this instance! I care not of his heritage, his father has been plagued with worry ever since his disappearance, if not for Aquaman we would have never known he was-"
"Hold your horses princess!" Mr D exclaimed. "If I remember correctly, dear old dad exiled you from mount Olympus and forbade you from interfering with any and all of our affairs unless necessary. That includes the prophecy, the one the 'child' is a part of."
"Do not antagonize me brother! I have honoured the agreement in exchange for my freedom to coexist with, and defend mankind. I was to give up my place in Olympus and I have done just that! However, this IS my business and you had no right to steal him from the safety of his home in Gotham."
"Did you really just suggest that Gotham was a safe place to live?" Mr. D asked, looking bored. Although Percy could see see that despite his calm exterior his eyes were narrowed dangerously.
"Have it your way, if you refuse to give up the boy, I must take him by force." She pulled out her sword and pointed it at Mr. D. "I propose a dual, winner take all."
A dark look passed over Mr. D's face but before any real fighting could occur, Dick ran over to Diana, arms flailing in the air.
"Dick wait!" Percy yelled, but to no avail, Dick continued running.
He jumped into the surprised warriors arms and crushed her in a hug. Percy was surprised when the once fearsome women's face melted into one of love and compassion. She returned the embrace and kissed the top of Dicks head before whispering something unheard to Dick. He simply giggled and stuck out his tongue.
Dick glanced at Mr. D who looked equally as confused, and a little annoyed. "Please don't fight over this! I'm fine Diana." Dick looked up into her eyes and put a hand on her cheek, as if to reassure her that he was alright.
Diana bent down on one knee so she was eye level with the young boy in front of her. "Bruce is worried sick, I've never seen him like this before. All of Gotham seems to be affected by your disappearance. Bruce needs his partner in crime." Diana said softly.
Percy looked around at all the faces gathered at the big house. No one seemed affected by the obvious clue Diana had just given. To them it must have seemed like a metaphor, but Percy knew she meant what she said quite literally. Batman was taking out Robin's disappearance on the streets of Gotham.
"How did you know he was here?" Percy looked beside him to the source of the voice and realized Annabeth was standing beside him.
Diana looked up at her, face once again fierce and suspicious. She eyed Dick warily before answering. "A dolphin informed the king of Atlantis of Dick's whereabouts. He informed Bruce and Bruce informed me."
"Wait, you actually spoke to a dolphin! I thought you were just trying to prove a point! When did that happen?"
Dick looked at Percy with confusion. "Why would I say that only to prove a point? That's just dumb! And it happened a few nights ago while I was waiting for you on the beach. The dolphin asked me who I was and I told him. Turns out he was one of Aquaman's scouts."
"Why didn't you tell to me about this conversation!" Percy cried.
Dick shrugged nonchalantly. "I didn't know how to bring it up."
Suddenly Diana flipped Dick around to face her a shocked look was on her face. "Your powers are emerging?"
Dick nodded furiously. "Percy's teaching me to sword fight with the sword you got me, but it only works when I stand in water."
"By the gods, how is this possible? You've never shown such capabilities before, why have they only just appeared now?"
Percy stepped forwards. "That's what we're trying to figure out."
Diana hugged Dick close to her and glared at Percy. A warning not to come closer. Percy crosses his arms with a frown, what did she think he would do to him? Dick was his brother! He cared about him too.
"Diana." Dick said softly. "I think I want to stay here for a little while. I want to learn to use my powers properly, so I can control them, and use them for good."
"You know little bird, you can never reveal your powers to the outside world." Diana said staring at Dick intently.
Translation, Robin can never be seen using his powers, Percy thought.
Dick nodded somberly. "I know." Suddenly he turned around to stare at Percy suspiciously. "But I would like to know what this prophecy is that I'm apparently a part of." He said accusingly.
Percy rubbed his neck bashfully, he knew what Dick was wondering, why hadn't he mentioned anything before. "We wanted to wait until you were ready." Percy said.
Dick crossed his arms across his chest and glared. "I've been here for a week, I think I'm ready."
"Indeed you are." Chiron appeared beside Mr. D from the big house and nodded respectfully towards Diana. "Diana, always a pleasure."
Mr. D scoffed and walked back into the big house, eyes still warily watching Diana.
Diana nodded her head back at Chiron. "Chiron, a pleasure to see you again."
"I only under different circumstances." He sighed, then turned back towards Dick. "Are you prepared to hear the prophecy now? For once you have heard it your quest will begin immediately, and you will no longer be able to stay at camp until it has been completed."
Dick looked towards Percy for support, he wrung his hands nervously. Percy nodded with a comforting smile and Dick relaxed slightly before turning back towards Chiron and nodding his head. "I'm ready."
"So be it. Find the bird who lived in the city of death." Chiron began solemnly. "A broken family reunited in the end, a secret revealed from a good mans final breath, a cruel betrayal from the one you call friend."
A long silence hung in the air for a few minutes as everyone tried to dissect to meaning of the strange prophecy.
"So, what now?" Dick asked.
Diana looked out into the sky where the sun was setting then turned back to towards the group. "Now you rest, enjoy your last day at camp. In the morning I will accompany you on your quest, and I will aid you in any way I can."
"Diana." Chiron said, there was a warning in his voice. "Remember your deal, you can not interfere in these matters, not as long as you fraternize with mortals."
Diana scowled fiercely and huffed. "Once again, I have not forgotten my promise. However that does not mean I will not be able to aide the boy at all. I have other ways of helping." She picked Dick up and sat him down on her shoulders. "Now, where can we go to fill our stomachs?"
A few seconds went by before Annabeth elbowed Percy in the ribs, apparently Diana had been addressing him and was still waiting for an answer.
"Oh, uhh, follow me." Percy said bashfully.
Together, Diana, Dick, Percy, Annabeth and Grover all went to meet Nico and Thalia for their last meal at camp. Percy thought Thalia would die of joy when she saw Wonder Women sitting at their table.
He laughed peacefully while looking at his friends all gathered together joking and eating. He knew that this was probably the last time he'd see them all this happy for a while. They started their quest tomorrow, and Percy knew from experience that with a quest came both adventure and tragedy.
